Water leaks can be devastating to Etobicoke homes. Not only can they cost the homeowner thousands of dollars in repairs, but they can be a health threat as well since they can lead to dangerous mould and mildew. Unfortunately, many water leaks occur behind walls, so they are often not found until serious damage has already been done.
In this article, we will discuss some tips on how you can locate water leaks behind walls.
Signs of a water leak
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- Discoloured areas (water stains) on walls or ceilings.
- Wet areas
- Mould or mildew in spots where you wouldn’t expect to find it.
- A musty smell.
- Peeling paint or wallpaper.
- Warped drywall, floor, or ceiling.
- Dripping sounds after turning off faucets.
- Higher than usual water bill.
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Keep in mind, that while all of these are signs that you may have a water leak, they won’t necessarily tell you exactly where the leak is. Even wet spots on drywall may not be a perfect indicator of where the leak is since water can travel down a leaky pipe before it comes in contact with drywall and becomes visible.
Locating water leaks behind walls
Now that you have an approximate idea of where the leak is likely to be, there are things you can do to pinpoint the location of the leak.
Moisture Meter & Detecting Leaks
A moisture meter is a tool that can be purchased or rented from your local hardware or home improvement store. Simply point the device at different areas of your wall until you find the spot where you get the highest reading. If you contact a professional to come in and investigate the leak, this is one of the tools that they will bring with them.
Infrared Camera & Leak Detection
Infrared cameras can be used to locate cold areas within a wall. If an area is wet, the camera will show it as a blue or purple area. Plumbers often use infrared cameras to locate leaks.
Cut into the Drywall
Cutting into the drywall is the most drastic step and should only be used as a last resort. Remember that because the leak may not be located exactly where the wet spot or water stain is, you may end up needing to cut more drywall than anticipated.
Before you take this step, we strongly advise contacting a plumbing professional. A plumber can minimize drywall or wall damage. Also, if you are unsure of what you are doing, you may accidentally puncture your pipes causing further damage.
Repairing Leaks Behind Walls
Repairing leaky pipes is something that should only be done by a licensed plumber, as it may require welding in tight spaces, meaning there’s a risk of fire. Furthermore, for insurance reasons, your insurance company may not cover any damages caused by a faulty DIY repair.
Once the location of the leak is determined, the plumber may have to cut out a section of the wall. The method of repair will depend on the extent of the damage. For a minor leak, they may be able to patch the pipe. For larger leaks, they may have to replace a section of the pipe. In extreme cases where the plumbing system is very old or has extensive damage, they may have to replace the whole system.
When dealing with leaks behind walls, it is important that you pay attention to the signs and contact a professional plumber if you notice trouble.
Contact D. Jason Plumbing today!
If you notice signs that there may be a leak behind the walls in your Etobicoke home, contact D. Jason Plumbing today to arrange for an inspection.